CARE

Sometimes it hurts to care so much. It weighs upon my chest.
But I'd rather feel this pain than be dulled and numb to reality.
This is what a heart breaking feels like...
do I still hope?
I just care so much.
If I could only hold your head in my hands in speak truth that would become the foundation of your heart...
I want you to know you're loved
I want to you to know the truth.
If I could take away all your pain... I would.
I will still war.
I won't let you go.
I won't stop caring.
I want to be like the One who carries the world. I can't imagine what He feels in seeing how far we've fallen.
But, I guess I care so much, I love so much, I feel so deeply because of Him.
He Loves, more than an ocean, He loves higher than the sky. His hope dives deeper than the pit you've sunk in. His hope rises every morning in the sky... If you could only see it in front of your eyes.

3 Men

I've seen you walking with a chain around your neck leading you down one path, you can't break away on your own.
I've seen you fall down time and time again, and see you struggle, I want to see you win.
I've seen you the way you are today. But, I know you can be more. I want to see you change.

I still believe it is possible.
But, you have to surrender all.
I still believe it is possible.
But, you have to be willing, you have to surrender before you can win the war you'll fight.

Why do I see these things?
Oh God, yes I want to see them with your eyes...

Do you see a light shrouded in darkness?
Do you see a warrior giving in to lies?
Do you see a man, fragile dust, but a treasured prize?

Do you only see Your blood? Your sacrifice was enough, God, I have to believe in You.
I want to see the change. I want to see your hope on the faces of these ones.
All the broken, all the weary, all the hurt and the confused.
I believe in the truth.

One way street

Since the bible says we can only serve one of two masters, and it tells us we're slaves to whomever we choose to serve, I'm feeling like alot of "christians" are slaves to Satan - to sin. And few of them would be willing to give up their rights of their lives enough to become a true servant of God...

I'm not okay with God being just an icon in life. He doesn't deserve that.

So which is it for you? Who's really in control? Does is hurt to admit the truth?
We only truly live after we've died...

War

"We must declare war on the mood of non-expectation, and come together with childlike faith."
- Tozer

wow.

"In the name of..."

I say "... in Jesus' name, Amen" verbatim, wrote, mindlessly, everytime I say a formal prayer, because - why? Because, that's what I heard, that's what I learned, it's a habit.
Yes, it's biblical (John 14:13) But, how many times we just spout it off, as thoughtlessly as we say "Amen." so we can eat. But, today, I saw it differently, I got the revelation of the power of saying something "In the name of" someone else...
Think of it this way, when you request something IN THE NAME of someone more powerful than you, you evoke all the power that they hold on your behalf. You call into play, who they are, what they have done, and suddenly whatever you're saying has incredible backing.

I see an illustration something like this,

I am a poor foot soldier, unknown to the King.

My nation is deep in war with an opposing rival. Our General has died in battle.

He was known, decorated, honored and respected and his name will live on in the history of my people. He had the strategy, he had the plan that would carry our war torn people to victory. But, after his death the king has been silent.

The king has no reason to heed any word of urging, begging, pleading,

any plan that would come from my mouth.

But, I stand before him and I urge him to take a stance,

to remember our great fallen leader, to rally his army to victory...

I don't urge him in my voice alone because I ask IN THE NAME of one greater than myself. Suddenly, the stakes have changed and the kings men hold their breathe in wait to see if the king will honor one who sacrificed his life for our cause...

When I initially saw this senerio, I wasn't thinking God was the king, and Jesus the general, but that even in human relations this law is still in effect. Names carry reputation and they carry power. So, the fact that I ask things in "Jesus' name" is... amazing. It means alot.
Because Jesus humbled himself, "God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name." Phil 2:9 NIV
The NAME OF JESUS evokes all of His authority on our behalf. We are co-heirs with Christ (we are! Us, little tiny us!), it's amazing we even have the right to use his name.
Next time I say "In Jesus' name, Amen", I want to actually think about what I'm saying, about what that means. The One who was before all things, in all things, the One who holds it all together, I pray in THAT name.

Christ has died, risen, and will come again.

I'm so thankful what looked like the worst day for the world turned out to be the best day for all humanity. The day of suffering became the day of amazing grace. God was in control.
I'm so thankful the tomb couldn't hold Him. He got the keys of death, hell and my grave.
Christ has DIED! Christ IS risen! Christ WILL COME again!
His blood was shed - We have redemption.
I live because He died.
His blood still speaks today, His cross the stake in our history that changed everything.
He's seated at the right hand of God. Jesus, may you receive the honor that you deserve today.
Thank you for your blood, your cross, your suffering, and your triumph... We could never even say enough!

Career, ministry, life

Career should never be life
Life should never be career

Career should never be ministry
Ministry should never be career

Life should be ministry
Ministry should be life

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I want to be one who finishes the race.

How, who, when, where, why

Sometimes I wonder if the future life events that seem so huge to our brains, aren't always so -earth shattering - they just... happen.

When I was young, I had a picture in my head of what I would feel like, or be like at my age now. Now that I'm here it doesn't quite feel like that picture. But, it's okay, I'm moving, I'm going on and it's impossible to see my life and the world through any other eyes than the ones I have right now. In example, when I was fourteen I was mature for my age and thought I was handling things great! I did fine growning up, but with gained experience, I now can look back and say "Oh wow, I know a few more things!". It's good to be growing. I would never want to stop.

Is there a place, where you don't have to be ashamed?

Is there a place in this world.

Am I far away, from that place. Is it there waiting, or do I have to make it reality for me?

Is there a place, were not all are perfect, I'm not asking for a fairy tale, not in this life.

Is there a place where I am known

Can you promise me that everyone is not the same. That they all aren't wrapped up in themselves slandering as they go along???

I agree

I have been seeing how much we have a "Greek" way of thought pervasive in our institutions for "higher learning"... think about this...
"The wisdom of the Greeks, when compared to that of the Jews, is absolutely bestial; for apart from God there can be no wisdom, not any understanding and insight." - Martin Luther

What are you wearing today?

I've been thinking about Tim Tebow lately after the "uproar" that was caused by his Focus On The Family ad that aired during the superbowl. That man is certainly no stranger to controversy. But, at least it is all for a purpose. What do we expect? Jesus told us we would be pursecuted for His name. His words and His name are not welcome in our society. But, they haven't quite shut us down yet, God's word still speaks! It will endure forever!!

Anyway, saying this, I was searching for something on the ever-popular google. As you may know, when you start typing something into google what pops up underneath in a drop-down box are the most popular searches. I typed in: What scripture
and here are the top 10 MOST SEARCHED topics:

What scripture says about homosexuality
What scripture is the Lord's prayer
What scripture says about marriage
What scripture to memorize
What scripture says about forgiveness
What scripture is Jesus wept
What scripture is the ten commandments in
What scripture is on Tebow's face
What scripture is the Christmas story
What scripture is Tebow wearing today

Okay, so, homosexuality, The Ten commandments, Jesus, Christmas... interesting, but pretty much expected, not really shocking. As much as it's interesting that those are the things people are looking into the Bible for, what struck me was that the only "non-biblical" thing, if you will, that is mentioned (twice!) is TIM TEBOW! What a witness, what a way of getting the "scripture" out there... Where it needs to be... But it's got to be in us, before we can put it out there. We can't wear a scripture on our faces, if our life doesn't back it up!

Can people ask that about me? Can people ask that about you?
I'm not saying, "raise your hand out there in cyberspace if you've got John 3:16 tattooed on your forehead!", but seriously, do we put enough stock in the Word of our God? Do we put it into our hearts? Do we really act like it is the "lamp to our feet"?
hmm, I hope this is some food-for-thought for you... it is for me.

I want to be that kind of person, people will ask "what scripture is on Anna's face today?", they'll wonder "what words of God does Anna have on display?". I'm called to look like Jesus. So are you.
I like how it says it in the New Living version: Matt 24:35 "Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear."



Oh, (as a little extra ;)) it might be silly or maddening that the NCAA just now made a rule banning players writing in their eye black, but I just love how Paul said this:
2 Timothy 2:9 "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained." Yes, God's word is NOT chained.